In the past, I was really impressed by the tough stances taken by Amnesty International. To me, this organization is very true to their mission and appears to fight in accordance with it (quick two examples – Guantanamo Bay and Israeli War Crimes). However, after being a member I canceled my membership due to Amnesty International’s stance with regards to homosexuality (found here).

The fact that practicing homosexuality is wrong according to Islam is very clear and obvious (please click here and here for elaboration). Muslims should not support the practice of homosexuality (especially after learning that God had destroyed a whole town because of this sin).

However, due to the fact that Amnesty International actually does a lot of good work, I became embroiled in an internal conflict with regards to whether I should cancel my membership or whether I should support the organization even though there is this blemish with regards to the beliefs that the organization espouses. Afterall, we don’t break off ties with people who are imperfect, is it right to break off ties with organizations that are imperfect? I still do not have an answer to this question but at the same time I felt that the least I can do is try to voice my concern and try to change the organization. I wrote to Amnesty International expressing my beliefs/concerns and I wanted to share the letter with you:

“Hello, I generally like your organization and many of the beliefs and causes that Amnesty International espouses. Unfortunately, I can’t bring myself to support an organization that believes in legalizing gay/lesbian activity and behavior. I believe gay/lesbian activity is wrong from a moral and ethical perspective.

However, I do agree with Amnesty International with regards to the following:
- women should not be raped to “cure” their lesbianism
- homosexuals should not be beaten by police
- homosexuals should not be attacked or killed on the street
- homosexuals should not be subjugated to verbal abuse
- homosexuals should not be bullied at school
- homosexuals should not be denied health services that do not promote homosexuality
- homosexuals should not be raped or tortured in detention
- homosexuals should not be driven to suicide

I would like to request from Amnesty International that they not support the expression or practice of homosexuality…  “

The letter continues but the point I am trying to deliver here is that completely cutting ties with an organization is not necessarily the best response. One should at least try and change the organization first. Can you imagine if we treated human beings in this manner where we cut off ties with people who we feel had made a mistake? Let’s not forget Prophet Noah who preached the message of Islam for over 900 years before he chose to part paths with his people.

May Allah allow the practices of the Muslims and the organizations that they support to be consistent with his deen. Ameen.